Week 5 - Structural and Architectural Details

While thinking through and laying out my structural system, I sketched a few details of how the exterior skin and the structural system will interact. Not 100% decided on the exterior skin, but working through that. Yes, I'm old school... I like sketching out the detials before cadding everything!

Week 4 - Site Environmental Study

I will be using a geo-themal heat pump mechanical system for BAC Learning Center's heating and cooling. Below is a sketch showing areas the well fields, in green, can be located. The actual amount of area will be dependant on the FTC (Formation Thermal Conductivity) test to determine how many wells are required, distance between wells and depth of wells. Wells should be located under parking, yards and/or garden areas, never under a structure in case undergrade repairs are ever required.

Also shown on the plan in blue is the area the storm water storage will be located. The tank is located in the lowest part of the site so it can be gravity fed and pumped back up for toilets and irrigation.

Week 4 - Roof Garden Sketch

Developing the Roof Garden has been a new experience. I researched roof gardens and decided on a few key issues related to the roof garden:

1. Pedestrians on the street should not see the roof garden, it just doesn't seem natural to me to see a tree hanging over the parapet. With that said, I want a garden what creates a pleasant place to be, reduces heat island effect on the roof and creates small view areas to the street.

2. Should be multi-leveled to be more like a yard in lieu shrubs on the roof!

3. Use the height difference between the existing building and the BAC to create an area where there can be some taller trees.

4. Provide flexibility with areas to sit such as; tables and chairs, perimeter bench, and lounge chairs.

Using pots and planter areas allow for flexibility for plantings.

Intensive Crit Response and Post-Intensive Focus

Crit Summary:

During my crit I felt all the comments were positive and constructive in their description. After reading Jaclyn’s recap, I’m not sure! Following are responses to what Jaclyn noted on my blog:

Kevin: I spoke to Kevin a few minutes prior to the crit and he said he could tell what I was wanting to do and it looked like I had ran out of time (true). I will be refining this more in the next week.

Kurt: Kurt noted that since I was using the post tension system and wanted to learn more about it, he wanted to make sure I would use the system to its full potential by spanning large distances.

Eric: I agree that the "elbow" could be opened up more. I noted during the crit that the gathering spaces for students were shown in the "neighborhood" areas, which reach out toward the city neighborhood.

Gerry: I will be sketching the environmental ideas, it was all about time, however I had them describe via text in the Vision.

Gerry: I specifically located the classrooms on the 4th floor, as that is where the distance student is most of the time. Very little time is spent in the dorm rooms and when you are there, it is dark outside anyway. If it isn’t dark and you’re in the room, you want it to be dark so you can catch a nap!

Thanks for the great crit comments!!!

My next focus will be per the following:

· Site plan – conceptually I know what I want to do and discussed this with Kevin prior to the crit, I need to think more about the experience from outside the space, going into the space and once you’re in it

· Massing – I think my massing works well, thinking about the details is the next step

· Plan – I need to reevaluate the locations of some of the spaces and the sizes compared to the program

· Elevations – Need to design the North side of the building and think about the “details” of the south face, especially around and above the exhibit windows

· Sections – my existing building sections will evolve as I study the elevations more

· Environmental sections – Need to show information per Gerry’s comments on the building sections

· Structure – I have been researching the Post Tension Institute’s web site, learning more about this structural system. I will start laying out structural system and will email it to Kurt for his review.

· Mechanical systems – I have already thought about the system and will be sketching it onto the plans and sections

· Code analysis – I will have this completed this weekend so any discoveries can be addressed early in lieu of latter!

· Materials – while looking at the elevations and details, the exterior materials will be determined

· Details – will come along between now and the next 4 ½ weeks.

Intensive - Massing Model

The building will not be floating as shown on the model base. I have it raised to the approximate finished floor level. "Pretend" the grade is finished around the perimeter, except for the West-Northwest corner as that is where cars will enter the under-building parking area.

Intensive - Final Presentation

Intensive - Toward the end...

Taking the sketches and going to the next level

Intensive - Mid-week...

A desk crit sketch...













Just trying to figure it out...

Intensive - Vision

Week 2 Assignment - Boston Climate

Below is the regional climate conditions, I will finish the microclimate after we actually see the site and discuss the many options. See you tomorrow!

The Updated Program; Larger...

Below is the updated Program, it should be more legible by itself. I added some general descriptions to the spreadsheet for each space. The pictures on the previous post are representations that I feel will be part of my design. Following are the descriptions for each.

Top Left Pic: Conceptually indicates how the Lobby, Exhibit hall and Dining spaces could be multi-level and interactive.

Next Pic Down: Shows a small wellness center overlooking a outdoor space (outdoor recreation)

Next Pic Down: A large whirlpool could provide relaxation, but still provide an area where students could continue the design discussions and other studies.

2nd Row Top: "The Cave" is an interactive virtual space used for modeling. This space is shown in my bubble diagram adjacent to the lobby as it could be another "show piece" marketing the school to the public.

Next Pic Down: Conceptually indicates a space for the Outdoor Recreation space, small open space for Frisbee, along with some beautiful landscaping to be seen from inside the Distance Learning Center.

Bottom Right Pic: This picture also conceptually indicates how the Lobby, Exhibit hall and Dining spaces could be multi-level and interactive, but this is near the wellness center. The space is a multilevel open space with a rock climbing wall for use as part of the wellness program. Our firm works on a lot of university campuses creating recreation facilities for students; it has become one of the most requested amenities by students. Time is short during the intensive, but it is still important to continue "The Making of a Corporate Athlete" (from our 2nd Assignment in the Leadership class) by exercising. Spiritual Capacity is also part of this reading.... hence the Chapel/Meditation space.

Refining.... Thinking About What I Would Like to See!

With the intensive (fast-tracking) projects, revisions are fast and furrious!

Draft Program and Bubble Diagram

First Draft of the Program

Here is a first draft of the program, I am working on the bubble diagram and narrative. Let me know any thoughts on the program. HERE WE GO.....